​Irvine Ranch Conservancy offers activities you’ll want to do over and over again

Every year on February 2, we look forward to Punxsutawney Phil making his weather prediction for the next six weeks. While this may not be the most accurate weather prediction, it’s all in good fun! Luckily, in Orange County, we don’t have to worry too much about Phil’s yearly prediction. With favorable weather all year long, there’s no reason to hibernate during the winter.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is here to help with an extensive list of activities that allow you to explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and will leave you coming back for more. Unfortunately, you won’t see any groundhogs out on the Landmarks, but there are plenty of other native species to look out for. Through LetsGoOutside.org, you can discover a wide range of weekly and monthly activities that allow you to workout, learn something new, give back, and spend time with family and friends. The possibilities are endless!​

F​amilies, fitness enthusiasts, and dog lovers can all experience this unique trail daily, from dawn to dusk

The 2.8 acre Quail Hill Trailhead opened to the public in June of 2007 and is conveniently located near the 405 freeway on Shady Canyon Drive. Despite the trail’s close proximity to the freeway, the loop is removed enough to provide a peaceful outdoor experience for bikers, hikers, and your four-legged friends. The Landmarks feature many special places unlike anywhere else and among them, the Quail Hill Preserve is a distinctive and ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Quail Hill hosts stewardship activities and docent-led hikes monthly and is open for self-guided access daily, from dawn to dusk.

Unlike other wilderness trails within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, Quail Hill is the only trail open to dogs, as long as they are on a leash and stay on the trail. Quail Hill also hosts the first trailside cell phone audio tour in Orange County where you can dial in for free to hear natural resource interpreters and researchers explain important features along the trail. The audio tour can be enjoyed while on the trail or from anywhere with a phone or any other portable device. Visit www.letsgooutside.org/quail-hill for more information on how to dial in to listen to the tour.

​Whether you are looking to be active, give back to the local community, or spend time with friends and family, Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks has you covered

Based on the influx of gym attendees in the month of January, it’s safe to say that one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more and get in shape. If exercising in a crowded gym isn’t your ideal workout, then try getting outside and exploring this year, while getting fit! Whether you’re looking to burn off those holiday treats or simply be more active, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks can provide you with an outdoor alternative to the traditional gym workout.

With nearly 40,000 acres of open space on the historic Irvine Ranch and a wide variety of activities each year including hiking, biking, equestrian, restoration programs and more, visitors can choose their own outdoor adventure and stay on track with their New Year’s resolutions. Whether you prefer an early morning bike ride or an evening hike, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Oaks are an important part of the California ecosystem and are considered to be one of the state’s major types of vegetation. To most people, it might just be another tree, but oaks are considered to be a foundation species, in the sense that their presence defines and supports an entire ecological community. Oak woodlands are their own important habitat, providing crucial shelter, foraging opportunities, and watershed protection, along with enhancing the aesthetic value of the California landscape. Whether we know it or not, oak woodlands are right in our backyard. Oak woodlands in Orange County consist almost entirely of Coast Live Oak, an evergreen tree that extends up and down the California coast.​Over the years, these woodlands have been considered at-risk due largely to habitat conversion by humans, which has reduced the trees to 50% of their historical range or less. Other factors in the decline of oak woodlands in California are competition with non-native species, cattle grazing, drought, and new pathogens. One example of a new pathogen that has affected Coast Live Oaks in Orange County is the Goldspotted Oak Borer. This particular pest is native to Arizona and was first identified in California in 2004, but was not linked to extensive oak mortality until 2008.

Restoration efforts on the Landmarks to create highly functional and resilient ecosystems

Nearly 40,000 acres of land preserved on the historic Irvine Ranch have been designated as a Natural Landmark. This land contains important natural habitats, sensitive species, such as the California Gnatcatcher and Coastal Cactus Wren, and unusual geological formations. It is home to countless plants and animals as well as rocks and fossils, chronicling back nearly 80 million years.​However, many natural areas in our modern world need management to keep them wild and beautiful. In southern California in particular, threats such as increased fire frequency, invasive species, overuse, and a large surrounding urban population have all impacted our Natural Landmarks. As a result, over 18,000 acres of land are considered highly degraded and in need of restoration.